3-bet pots when not the aggressor

[pgil]

I generally suck at these. Actually, I suck horribly, both in position and out, although I am generally not in a lot of 3-bet pots OOP when I am not the 3-bettor.

I feel that this is a huge leak in my game. I don't know which hands I should be playing here or why. I have an idea of a typical 3-bet range at 100NL but seem to be at a loss as to how to play against it. I would imagine that if it's too tight then you can't unless you are deeper than 100bb.

I hate calling to try to hit something, this seems like spew. I also don't like folding too often to these. 4-bets don't seem too attractive either outside of specific circumstances.

I am not asking "how should I play 3-bet pots", but I would like to generate some discussion on this topic for the FR game, or at least be linked to a good discussion.

[d0zer]

I think the only time I'm in a 3-bet pot and I'm NOT the aggressor is when I'm holding JJ/QQ and I've got position on the villain.

I hate being in positions like that, and will play to the villain's stats.

[pgil]

so lets say you open JJ from mid to late position. SB 3-bets. SB is a 15/13. I think you are taking the worst of it more often than not unless you are able to take down some extra pots in spots where I wouldn't be inclined to make a play.

He leads all A/K flops, and occasionally follows up on the turn regardless of holdings. He leads all low flops with the overpairs and a lot of the time with the missed AK/underpair. He can occasionally have a QK/9Ts type of hand as well. you can't really feel confident putting a lot in the pot without the set, even with the overpair. this cuts down on the size of the pot you win when ahead.

since the pot is pretty bloated you will probably be more willing to call with 2nd best more often than is profitable.

meh, maybe I am just being a weak-tight results oriented nit.

[allabout]

I'm very interested in this topic as well. What I've found myself doing lately OOP is calling the three bet (assuming I have something like JJ) and then often raising the flop. I'm amazed by how often they fold and if they reraise I just let it go. But I really don't know, maybe this is just even more spew. Seems like its been profitable but I haven't really kept track. I just started getting 3 bet more as I moved up to $25 and $50 NL. Not really an issue at $10.

[allabout]

This hand is from today. This is an example of what I was talking about. I raised the flop (I know it's kind of a weak raise) but it gets the job done. Is this a profitable move in the long run??

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

UTG ($41)
UTG+1 ($59.05)
MP1 ($27.70)
MP2 ($64.05)
MP3 ($83.65)
CO ($38.25)
Hero ($55.60)
SB ($83.45)
BB ($61.25)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q, Q.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 4 folds, Hero raises to $2.5, 2 folds, UTG+1 raises to $7, Hero calls $4.50.

Flop: ($14.75) A, 7, 2 (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $6, Hero raises to $14.5, UTG+1 folds.

Final Pot: $26.75